Extension support is a major reason that makes Chrome such an incredibly popular browser on desktop operating systems. You can find numerous extensions designed to expand and enhance the utility of the browser, from extensions that improve your online media playing experience to switching on dark mode with just a click. The only downside to these extensions is that you cannot use them in the mobile version of the Chrome browser.

However, that doesn't mean you cannot use these extensions on your Android device at all. You can do so via other browsers that support extensions on Android using the methods shared here.

Option 1: Using Chrome extensions via the Kiwi browser

The Kiwi browser is a free Chromium-based browser available on Android that supports Chrome extensions on that platform.

  1. Download the Kiwi browser from the Google Play Store.
  2. Once the browser is installed, open it and tap on the three dots at the top right.
  1. Tap on 'Extensions'.
  2. Then tap on the '+ from Store' button to open the Chrome Web Store.
  1. Search for the extension you want to install in the Kiwi browser and then tap on the 'Add to Chrome' button.
  2. To use the installed extension, tap on the three dots at the top right and then tap on the name of the extension in the dropdown menu.
  1. To view the installed extensions, tap on the three dots at the top right and then on 'Extensions' again. From here you enable and disable installed extensions by tapping on their respective toggles.
Note: Browsers like the Kiwi browser let you install Chrome extensions on Android, but these extensions may not always work since they are not designed for that platform.

Option 2: Using Chrome extensions via the Yandex browser

Yandex browser is another Chromium-based browser that supports Chrome extensions on Android.

  1. Download and install the Yandex browser from the Play Store.
  2. Open the browser after it is installed and type chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions in the search bar and tap the 'Search' button. This will take you to the Chrome Web Store.
  1. You can now search for the extension you want to install on the web store. Once you find it, tap on it and then tap on the 'Add to Chrome' button before tapping the 'Add extension' button.
  2. Once the extension is installed, tap on the three dots that appear on the right of the search bar.
  1. Then scroll down the menu that appears and tap on 'Extensions'.
  2. Finally, tap on the extension you want to use. Certain extensions, such as Grammarly, work automatically in browsers like Yandex and Kiwi.
  1. You can view your installed extensions by tapping the hamburger menu that appears as three horizontal lines at the bottom right.
  2. Then tap on the 'Settings' option in the pop-up menu.
  1. On the Settings page, tap on 'Extension catalog'.
  2. Here you will see your installed extensions as well as suggested ones that you can install. To turn an extension on or off, tap on the toggle next to it.

Option 3: Using Edge Browser to install Chrome extensions

Microsoft Edge is not only available on Android but natively supports all Chrome extensions on the platform.

  1. Download and install the Edge Browser from the Play Store. Once it is installed, open the browser and tap on the hamburger menu at the bottom right.
  2. Then tap on 'Extensions' in the menu that shows up on your screen.
  1. You will see the list of available extensions in front of you. Tap on the 'Get' button next to the extension you want to install.
  2. Then tap the 'Add' button.
  1. To enable an extension, tap the hamburger menu again and go to the Extensions as before and you will see your installed extensions. Tap the extension you want to use.
  2. You can also tap 'Manage extensions' to view more options to manage your extensions.
  1. Tap on the three dots on the right of the extension you want to manage and you will see various options, like enabling and disabling the extension, running it in InPrivate mode, removing permissions, and removing the extension.

Things to know

  • While not all browsers on Android support Chrome extensions, some have their own extensions. For instance, Firefox on Android comes with its own selection of extensions and has an alternative for most extensions available for Chrome.
  • You can find almost all of Chrome extensions using the web browsers mentioned here on Android. Some of the most popular ones you can try include Grammarly, Google Scholar Todoist, Dark Reader, LastPass, uBlock Origin, etc.
  • Extensions often require you to enable certain permissions on your Android device. Check and review the permissions required by an extension before you allow it.
  • When installing Chrome extensions on Android, make sure to check the user feedback and ratings before installing it. It is also a good idea to confirm the credibility of the developer and avoid extensions that are relatively new and have limited feedback.